Child seat

ABSTRACT

A child seat includes a seat body having a seat portion, a rear portion, and left and right side panels; airbags to be inflated at sides of a head of a child; and hollow cushions disposed along inner surfaces of the side panels. When an automobile equipped with the child seat collides, the airbags are inflated at the sides of the head of the child, so that an impact applied to the head is absorbed. Furthermore, the cushions absorb a large impact from sides in a side collision and the like. The cushions are preferably disposed below regions where the airbags are inflated. The cushions receive a part of the child other than the head to absorb the impact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

[0001] The present invention relates to a child seat placed on a seatof, for example, an automobile, and particularly, to a child seat forprotecting a child from a large impact caused by a side collision of anautomobile.

[0002] A child seat is installed on an automobile seat, and generallyincludes a seat portion for supporting a hip of a child, a rear portionfor supporting a back of the child, and left and right side panelsextending along sides of the child.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-157553 has disclosed achild seat for protecting a child from a large impact caused by, forexample, a side collision of an automobile. According to the protectionmethod disclosed in this reference, airbags are inflatable along outersurfaces of left and right side panels (side supporters).

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. 64-37743 hasdisclosed a child seat having a horseshoe-shape headrest surrounding aback and two sides of a child head.

[0005] In the child seat disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication(Kokai) No. 10-157553, it is necessary to provide a gas generator with alarge capacity for inflating the airbags over the entire outer surfacesof the side panels. Furthermore, when a person is seated next to thechild seat, one of the airbags is inflated between the person and thechild seat, and may apply an unexpected external force to the person.

[0006] In the child seat disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication(Kokai) No. 64-37743, the headrest around the child head may causediscomfort to the child.

[0007] In view of the problems described above, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a child seat with a simple structure forsecurely protecting a child.

[0008] Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a childseat includes a seat body having a seat portion, a rear portion, andleft and right side panels; airbags to be inflated at sides of a head ofa child; and hollow cushions disposed along inner surfaces of the sidepanels. When an automobile equipped with the child seat collides, theairbags are inflated at the sides of the head of the child, so that animpact applied to the head is absorbed. Furthermore, the cushions absorba large impact from sides in a side collision and the like.

[0010] The cushions are preferably disposed below regions where theairbags are inflated. The cushions receive a part of the child otherthan the head to absorb an impact.

[0011] The airbags may have a size to be inflated over the sides of thehead of the child. Accordingly, when inflation means is provided with asensor for detecting a collision and gas supplying means for inflatingan airbag in response to a detection signal from the sensor, the gassupplying means does not need to have a large capacity.

[0012] According to the present invention, it may be configured that thecushions supplies gas therein to inflate the airbags. In this case, whenthe cushions receive a load from sides upon a side collision, the gasinside the cushions is supplied to the airbags so that the airbags areinflated over the regions covering the sides of the child head.Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide gas supplying means forinflating the airbags. The gas is moved (discharged) from the cushionsto the airbags when the load is applied to the cushions, thereby furtherabsorbing the impact.

[0013] According to the present invention, the cushion may include agasbag filled with gas. The gasbag is lightweight and suitable for thecushion of the child seat. In this case, gas discharging means may beprovided for discharging the gas inside the gasbag toward the airbagwhen a gas pressure inside the gasbag exceeds a predetermined value.Accordingly, the airbag is inflated only when the child is pressedagainst the gasbag with a force larger than a predetermined pressure.

[0014] The child seat may include a check valve for preventing the gasfrom flowing from the airbag to the gasbag, thereby maintaining theinternal pressure of the airbag for a long period of time.

[0015] According to the present invention, each of the left and rightside panels may be provided with the airbag and the cushion, and thecushion on one of the panels can supply gas to the airbags on bothpanels, thereby preventing the child head from rebounding.

[0016] Shape-maintaining means may further be provided for maintaining ashape of the cushion until a pressing force applied to the cushionreaches a predetermined value. Accordingly, a small pressing force willnot deform the cushion. The shape-maintaining means includes a spacerhaving a simple structure.

[0017] According to the present invention, inflation-shape regulatingmeans may be provided for regulating an inflated shape of the airbag.The inflation-shape regulating means includes a tether strap. With theinflation-shape regulating means, the airbag is inflated in a shape andsize corresponding to a space between the child seat and the child head.

[0018] According to the present invention, venting means may be providedfor discharging the gas inside the airbag to absorb an impact. Theventing means may include a vent hole provided in the airbag. However,the venting means is not limited to the vent hole. With the ventingmeans, it is possible to absorb a larger amount of impact.

[0019] According to the present invention, a child seat includes a seatbody having a seat portion for seating a child, a rear portion, and leftand right side panels; and cushions disposed along inner surfaces of theside panels. The cushions are provided along the inner surfaces of theside panels in advance. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide amechanism for rapidly inflating a side-panel airbag during a collisionas disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-157553,thereby making the child seat simple.

[0020] The cushion may include a lightweight gasbag filled with gas. Thechild seat may include venting means for discharging the gas inside thegasbag when a pressure inside the gasbag exceeds a predetermined value.The venting means allows the gasbag to substantially absorb an impacteven when a large impact is applied to the gasbag. When the ventingmeans of the gasbag is not operated in an automobile collision due toonly a small impact on the gasbag, the child seat may be usedcontinuously without repair.

[0021] According to the present invention, at least one of the sidepanels may include a plurality of cushions. In this case, even when onlyone of the cushions receives a pressing force, the gas pressure insidethe cushion rises to generate a reactive force against the child ordischarge the gas from the cushion to the airbag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child seat according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the child seat shown in FIG. 1 ina state that an airbag is inflated;

[0024] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are sectional views taken along line3(a)-3(a) in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3(a) is a view in a state before theairbag is inflated and FIG. 3(b) is a view in a state that the airbag isinflated;

[0025] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are horizontal sectional views of an upperportion of a child seat according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein FIG. 4(a) is a view in a state before an airbag isinflated and FIG. 4(b) is a view in a state that the airbag is inflated;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a child seat according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a child seat according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention; and

[0028] FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are longitudinal sectional views of a childseat according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of a child seat according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the child seat shown in FIG. 1 in a state that anairbag is inflated. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are sectional views taken alongline 3(a)-3(a) in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3(a) is a view in a state beforethe airbag is inflated and FIG. 3(b) is a view in a state that theairbag is inflated.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a child seat 1 includes a seat body 2 forseating a child and a base 3 for supporting the seat body 2 in areclined state. The seat body 2 includes a seat portion 12 forsupporting a bottom of the child; a rear portion 10 for supporting aback and a head of the child; and side panels 11 having a wall-likestructure extending forward from left and right sides of the rearportion 10. The side panels 11 extend from both sides of the rearportion 10 at both sides of the seat portion 12.

[0031] The seat body 2 is provided with two child seatbelts 6 forrestraining the child. Each of the child seatbelts 6 passes through abelt tongue 8. A chest pad 7 is vertically arranged in front of the seatportion 12. The chest pad 7 is provided with two buckles 9 for latchingthe belt tongues 8.

[0032] Rear ends of the seatbelts 6 pass through the rear portion 10 andare wound in seatbelt retractors (not shown) equipped with emergencylocking mechanisms provided inside the seat body 2. The retractors arelocked upon an automobile collision to prevent the seatbelts 6 fromwithdrawing. The seatbelt retractors may be omitted.

[0033] The child seat 1 is secured to an automobile seat (not shown) byan adult seatbelt 14. Reference numeral 13 indicates one of belt-holesthrough which the adult seatbelt 14 passes. When the child seat 1 isused, a child sits on the seat body 2, and the seatbelts 6 are strappedover the child followed by inserting the belt tongues 8 into the buckles9.

[0034] In the first embodiment, airbags 20 are disposed in airbagholders 11 a at upper portions of the left and right side panels 11corresponding to sides of the head of the child seated in the child seat1. The holders 11 a are recesses provided in inner surfaces (surfacesfacing the child head) of the side panels 11.

[0035] The airbags 20 are housed in the airbag holders 11 a in a foldedstate. The airbag 20 is mounted on the side panel 11 with fasteners 24such as rivets. The fasteners 24 are connected to distal ends of theairbag 20 in an inflating direction with tether straps 26.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3(b), the airbag 20 has a size in aninflated state over only the side of the head of the child seated in thechild seat 1. The airbag 20 is provided with a vent hole 20 a (FIG.3(b)) for discharging gas.

[0037] The side panel 11 is provided with a cover sheet 28 at an innersurface thereof for covering the airbag 20 in a folded state and theholder 11 a. When the airbag 20 is inflated, the cover sheet 28 is tornby a pressing force of the airbag 20 to open the holder 11 a.

[0038] In the first embodiment, the side panel 11 is provided with ahollow cushion 30 on the inner surface thereof below the airbag 20. Theairbag 20 and the cushion 30 communicate with each other through a duct32. The duct 32 is blocked with blocking means 34 such as a tear seam.When the gas pressure inside the cushion 30 exceeds a certain value, theblocking means 34 is opened to discharge gas from the cushion 30 to theairbag 20.

[0039] The cushion 30 is disposed substantially over the whole innersurface of the side panel 11 below the airbag 20. The cushion 30contains gas with a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure (forexample, 1.5 to 3 atm).

[0040] A surface 30 a of the cushion 30 facing the child is formed of asemi-rigid synthetic resin. Spacers 36 are disposed between the surface30 a and opposing surface 30 b adjacent to the side panel 11. When aload applied to the cushion 30 exceeds a certain value, the spacers 36are compressed to reduce a volume of the cushion 30.

[0041] According to the child seat 1, the cushions 30 receive a bodypart such as a shoulder, torso, waist, and thigh of the child seated inthe seat 1 upon a side collision of an automobile. When the load appliedto the cushion 30 exceeds a certain value, the spacers 36 are bent. Thepressure inside the cushion 30 exceeds a certain value to open theblocking means 34, and the gas inside the cushion 30 is dischargedtowards the airbag 20. The volume of the cushion 30 is reduced, so thatthe impact given to the body of the child is absorbed.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 3(b), when the gas is discharged from thecushion 30 to the airbag 20, the airbag 20 opens the cover sheet 28.Consequently, the airbag 20 is inflated between the side panel 11 andthe child head for receiving the head and absorbing the impact given tothe head.

[0043] According to the child seat 1, the cushions 30 absorb the impactcaused by the load applied to the child from the sides upon a sidecollision. Furthermore, the airbags 20 are inflated between the childand the side panels 11 for receiving the head. The gas in the airbag 20is discharged outwardly through the vent hole 20 a, so that the impactgiven to the child head is absorbed.

[0044] In the first embodiment, when a load is applied to one of thecushions 30, the volume of the cushion 30 is reduced, thereby supplyingthe gas inside the cushion 30 to the airbag 20 to inflate the airbag 20.Accordingly, airbag inflating means such as an inflator is notnecessary.

[0045] In the child seat 1, the airbags are not inflated outwardly fromthe two sides of the seat body 2. Accordingly, a person next to the seat1 does not receive an unexpected external force from the child seat 1.Furthermore, if a person hits against the child seat 1, the cushion 30absorbs the impact.

[0046] In this embodiment, the cushion 30 is filled with gas having apressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. The gas in the cushion 30may have the atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the duct 32 may beprovided with a check valve to prevent the gas from flowing from theairbag 20 to the cushion 30.

[0047] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are horizontal sectional views of an upperportion of a child seat according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein FIG. 4(a) is a view in a state before an airbag isinflated and FIG. 4(b) is a view in a state that the airbag is inflated.

[0048] In the second embodiment, a left airbag 20L and a right airbag20R are provided on upper inner surfaces of side panels 11L and 11R,respectively. Furthermore, the cushions 30 (not shown in FIGS. 4(a) and4(b)) are provided on the inner surfaces of the side panels 11L and 11Rbelow the airbags 20L and 20R. The cushion on the left side panel 11Lcommunicates with the airbag 20L through a duct, while the cushion onthe right side panel 11R communicates with the airbag 20R through aduct.

[0049] In the second embodiment, the two airbags 20L and 20R communicatewith each other through a duct 40. The duct 40 has a flexible hose-likestructure. When gas does not pass through the duct 40, the duct 40 haseither a flat shape or a tubular shape with a small diameter. On theother hand, when gas passes through the duct 40, the duct 40 is inflatedto increase the diameter. Alternatively, the duct 40 may be formed of anon-inflatable tubular material.

[0050] The rear portion 10 has a groove 10 a at a front surface thereoffor retaining the duct 40 in a deflated state. The groove 10 a extendslaterally across the front surface of the rear portion 10. Two ends ofthe groove 10 a are connected to the airbag holders 11 a provided on theinner surfaces of the side panels 11L and 11R.

[0051] The airbags 20L and 20R are folded and housed inside thecorresponding airbag holders 11 a, and the duct 40 is housed inside thegroove 10 a. The cover sheet 28 is disposed over the inner surfaces ofthe side panels 11L and 11R for covering the front surface of the rearportion 10, the airbags 20L and 20R and the duct 40. When the airbags20L and 20R and the duct 40 are inflated, the cover sheet 28 is torn toopen by a pressing force.

[0052] Other components of the child seat 1A are similar to those of thechild seat 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3(a) and 3(b). In FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b),the airbags 20L and 20R are provided with tether straps 26 and a venthole (not shown) as in the airbag 20.

[0053] In the child seat 1A, when a load applied to one of the cushions30 exceeds a certain value upon a side collision of an automobile, thespacers 36 in the cushion 30 are deformed so that the gas is dischargedfrom one of the cushion 30 to the corresponding airbags 20L and 20R.Furthermore, through the duct 40, the gas inside one of the airbags 20Land 20R flows to the other one of the airbags 20R and 20L. Consequently,as shown in FIG. 4(b), the airbags 20L and 20R are inflated between thechild head and the side panels 11L and 11R for receiving the head fromboth sides to absorb an impact applied to the child head. Furthermore,as shown in FIG. 4(b), the duct 40 is also inflated behind the childhead for receiving the back of the head so that the impact is absorbed.

[0054] According to the child seat 1A, the cushions 30 absorb the impactcaused by the load applied from sides upon a side collision.Furthermore, the airbags 20L and 20R absorb the impact applied to thechild head.

[0055]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a child seat 1B according to athird embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, eachof the side panels 11 is provided with two cushions 30A and 30B at theinner surfaces thereof below the airbag 20. The cushion 30A is disposedabove the cushion 30B. The cushions 30A and 30B communicate with theairbag 20 disposed above the cushions 30A and 30B through respectiveducts 32A and 32B. Each of the ducts 32A and 32B is provided withblocking means 34 (not shown in FIG. 5) for blocking the duct 32A or 32Buntil a gas pressure inside the corresponding cushions 30A and 30Bexceeds a certain value.

[0056] Furthermore, each of the ducts 32A and 32B is provided with acheck valve 50 for preventing backflow of the gas from the airbag 20 tothe corresponding cushions 30A and 30B.

[0057] Other components of the child seat 1B are similar to those of thechild seat 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3(a) and 3(b). In FIG. 5, the childseatbelts 6, the chest pad 7, and the buckles 9 are omitted to show theairbag and the cushions clearly. These components are included in thechild seat 1B. The cushions 30A and 30B have a structure same as that ofthe cushion 30.

[0058] According to the child seat 1B, when at least one of the cushions30A and 30B receives a pressing force upon a collision such that the gaspressure in the cushion exceeds a certain value, the gas is supplied tothe airbag 20 from the cushion to inflate the airbag 20, as shown inFIG. 2. Accordingly, the impact applied to the body and the head of thechild is absorbed.

[0059] After the gas is supplied to the airbag 20 from both of thecushions 30A and 30B, even if the gas pressure in one of the cushions30A and 30B becomes lower than the pressure inside the airbag 20, thecheck valve 50 prevents backflow of the gas from the airbag 20 to thecushion. Accordingly, the internal pressure of the airbag 20 ismaintained high. Alternatively, the two airbags may be connected witheach other through a duct as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0060] According to the embodiments described above, the cushions andthe airbags inflated by the gas supplied from the cushions absorb theimpact. In the present invention, the airbags may be omitted like achild seat 1C of a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6. In this case, acushion 30C may be disposed on the inner surface of the side panel 11such that the cushion 30C extends to the upper inner surface. Thecushion 30C is provided with spacers and has an internal structure sameas that of the cushion 30. The cushion 30C is filled with atmosphericgas and is provided with a vent hole (not shown).

[0061] When the body or the head of the child hits against the cushion30C upon a collision, the spacers in the cushion 30C are deformed sothat the volume of the cushion 30C is reduced. The gas inside thecushion 30C is discharged through the vent hole, thereby absorbing theimpact.

[0062] One cushion 30C is provided on each of the side panels 11 in FIG.6, and two or more cushions may be provided. Furthermore, the interiorof the cushion 30C may be separated into multiple chambers.

[0063] The cushion 30C may contain gas with a pressure higher than theatmospheric pressure (for example, 1.1 to 3 atm). Furthermore, the venthole may be provided with pressure-holding means such as a valve or atear seam for blocking the hole until the pressure in the cushion 30Creaches a predetermined value.

[0064] Although the airbags are inflatable using the gas from thecushions shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, an inflator may alternatively beprovided for inflating the airbags. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are longitudinalsectional views of an upper portion of one of side panels of a childseat 1D provided with an airbag device 60 having an inflator accordingto a fifth embodiment.

[0065] The airbag device 60 includes an airbag 62, a casing 64 forhousing the airbag 62, an inflator 66 for inflating the airbag 62, and asensor (not shown) for detecting an automobile collision. The casing 64has a side opening 64 a. The airbag 62 is folded and housed inside thecasing 64. The inflator 66 discharges gas in response to a detectionsignal from the sensor.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 7(b), the airbag 62 has an inflatable size overthe side of the head of the child seated in the child seat 1D like theairbag 20. The airbag 62 is provided with a vent hole (not shown).

[0067] In the fifth embodiment, the inflator 66 is mounted on the casing64 and disposed inside the airbag 62. Reference numeral 68 indicatesfasteners such as rivets for mounting the inflator 66 on the casing 64.A base of the airbag 62 is disposed between a flanged portion of theinflator 66 and the casing 64.

[0068] Upper portions of the two side panels 11D are provided withairbag-inflation openings 70 facing sides of the head of the childseated in the child seat 1D. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the airbag device 60is disposed on the outer side surface of the side panel 11D such thatthe side opening 64 a of the casing 64 corresponds to the opening 70. Aflange 64 b protrudes from an edge of the side opening 64 a of thecasing 64. The flange 64 b is disposed along an edge of the opening 70so as to be mounted on the side panel 11D.

[0069] A cover sheet 72 is disposed over the opening 70 on the innersurface of the side panel 11D. When the airbag 62 is inflated, apressing force of the airbag 62 tears the cover sheet 72 to open theopening 70.

[0070] According to the child seat 1D, when an automobile collides, thesensor of the airbag device 60 detects the collision. The inflator 66discharges gas in response to the detection signal from the sensor. Asshown in FIG. 7(b), the gas from the inflator 66 inflates the airbag 62and tears the cover sheet 72 to open. Accordingly, the airbags 62 areinflated between the sides of the child head and the side panels 11D.

[0071] The embodiments described above are only examples of the presentinvention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodimentsshown in the drawings.

[0072] As described above, the present invention provides a child seatwith a simple structure for securely protecting the child.

[0073] While the invention has been explained with reference to thespecific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrativeand the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child seat for protecting a child, comprising:a seat body having a seat portion, a rear portion, and left and rightside panels, an airbag to be inflated at a side of a head of the child,and a cushion having a hollow body disposed on an inner surface of atleast one of the side panels.
 2. A child seat according to claim 1,wherein said cushion is disposed below an area where the airbag isinflated.
 3. A child seat according to claims 1, wherein said airbag isinflated only at the side of the head of the child.
 4. A child seataccording to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting anautomobile collision, and gas supplying means for inflating the airbagin response to a detection signal from the sensor.
 5. A child seataccording to claim 1, wherein said cushion is filled with the gas to besupplied to the airbag.
 6. A child seat according to claim 5, whereinsaid cushion includes a gasbag filled with the gas.
 7. A child seataccording to claim 6, wherein said gasbag includes gas discharging meansfor discharging the gas in the gasbag toward the airbag when a gaspressure inside the gasbag exceeds a predetermined value.
 8. A childseat according to claim 7, wherein said gasbag includes a check valvefor preventing the gas from flowing from the airbag to the gasbag.
 9. Achild seat according to claim 5, wherein said airbag and said cushionare disposed on each of the left and right side panels such that thegases inside the cushions provided on the side panels are supplied tothe airbags on the side panels.
 10. A child seat according to claim 5,wherein said cushion includes shape-maintaining means for maintaining ashape of the cushion until a pressing force applied to the cushionreaches a predetermined value.
 11. A child seat according to claim 10,wherein said shape-maintaining means includes a spacer.
 12. A child seataccording to claim 1, wherein said airbag includes inflation-shaperegulating means for regulating a shape of the airbag in an inflatedstate.
 13. A child seat according to claim 12, wherein saidinflation-shape regulating means includes a tether strap.
 14. A childseat according to claim 1, wherein said airbag includes venting meansfor discharging gas inside the airbag.
 15. A child seat for protecting achild, comprising: a seat body having a seat portion for seating thechild, a rear portion, and left and right side panels, and a cushiondisposed on an inner surface of at least one of the side panels.
 16. Achild seat according to claim 15, wherein said cushion includes a gasbagfilled with gas.
 17. A child seat according to claim 16, wherein saidgasbag includes venting means for discharging the gas inside the gasbagwhen a gas pressure inside the gasbag exceeds a predetermined value. 18.A child seat according to claim 1, wherein said cushion includes aplurality of cushion portions disposed on at least one of the sidepanels.
 19. A child seat according to claim 15, wherein said cushionincludes a plurality of cushion portions disposed on at least one of theside panels.